Officials of the Central Bureau of Investigation searched the residences of the former Karnataka Chief Minister, Mr B. S. Yeddyurappa, his sons and his son-in law as also the offices of JSW Steel and South West Mining Company Ltd here on Wednesday.

After registering a First Information Report (FIR), the officials conducted searches at over 20 premises belonging to Mr Yeddyurappa, his sons B.Y. Raghavendra, a Member of Parliament, and Mr B.Y. Vijayendra, as well as his son-in-law, Mr Sohan Kumar, in Bangalore and Shimoga districts.

The central agency also searched the offices of JSW Steel and South West Mining Company in Toranagallu in Bellary district. In a release, the CBI said it has registered a case against Mr Yeddyurappa and others under different sections of IPC, and also under the Prevention of Corruption Act and Section 9 of the of Karnataka Land (Restriction on Transfer) Act, 1991 following the directions of the Supreme Court. “The investigation is on; searches are being carried out at various places in Bangalore, Shimoga and Bellary. Various incriminating documents have been found during the searches. Further investigation is continuing,” the release said.

JSW Steel and South West Mining Company, in a release, said“JSW group follows highest standards of corporate governance and is in fact the victim of alleged illegal mining”.

Mr Yeddyurappa has been accused of granting undue favours to the companies in lieu of donations made by them to a charitable trust run by his family. Meanwhile, Mr Yeddyurappa and his family members have moved the CBI court seeking anticipatory bail. The court has directed the CBI to file its objections by tomorrow (Thursday), when the matter will come up for hearing.

>anil.u@thehindu.co.in

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